joint problems Archives - Perros siempre en movimiento

How to detect a disease or problem in the dog’s paws

Dogs’ paws are one of the most vulnerable areas of dogs. On the one hand, they are in direct contact with the ground and can suffer injuries. They are also exposed to blows or bad footsteps. And of course, they can suffer a problem in the legs, or injuries from sprains, bad footsteps, etc. Or simply, due to the effect of age.

Therefore, it is advisable to check your limbs carefully from time to time. You also have to be aware of any change in behavior. If, for example, a dog that is very active suddenly becomes sedentary, or if it changes other behaviors, it is necessary to find out why. To do this, apart from ruling out other pathologies, it is necessary to check their legs.

How to detect a problem in the paws of a dog

Sometimes, if a dog has a paw problem it is quite obvious. Suddenly they start limping, or they don’t want to walk. Or he gives them to lick their paw insistently. Or for giving the feeling that they bite it. So, it’s clear that something is happening to them.

But sometimes, what happens to them is not so obvious. They may be upset, but it is not clear where the problem may be. In that case, when the dog is comfortable, a careful inspection of its paws can be carried out. In these cases, you have to be careful when doing so, so as not to harm it.

How to examine a dog’s paws

To check a dog’s paws for problems or injuries, it is best to start with their pads. Because they are in contact with the ground, they are some of the parts most susceptible to problems. When walking, you can stick something to the dog in them. Or make a small wound, which at first glance is not appreciated, but that can later lead to a more serious problem in the legs. You may also have cracked pads, or a cyst.

After checking the pads and the area around them, if there is no problem in them, you have to check the legs. To do this, it is necessary to carefully feel each of them. In this way you will be able to appreciate strange lumps. Also blows that can cause pain. If so, the animal will react when it feels it, and will try to remove the paw. Hence the review with care. To avoid causing you more pain.

What to do when there is a problem in the legs

Whenever it is detected that a dog has a problem in the legs, it is necessary to go to the veterinarian. Even if it is a wound, because if it does not heal well or becomes infected, it can degenerate into a larger problem. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with a specialist. And do it, in addition, without wasting time. If you wait to go with the dog to a consultation, the problem can be aggravated.

The veterinarian shall examine the animal and decide on the most appropriate treatment in each case. From a wound cure to a small surgery. You can also indicate if it is necessary to protect any areas of the affected legs. For example, with a carpal stand. Or, after surgery, with an orthopedic splint. In any case, you should always follow the guidelines indicated by the specialist.

27/09/2018/0 Comments/by Ortopedia canina

How to strengthen a dog’s joints

Animal welfare

Our friend’s health care doesn’t start when he starts to deteriorate. Throughout his life we must take measures so that in his last stage he can enjoy good health. To do this, we leave you some tips to strengthen the joints of a dog.

What are the joints of a dog

Joints are a structure that functions as the union of two bones. These are composed of various parts: the capsule, cartilage, synovial membrane, tendons and ligaments, mainly. Each type of joint varies from the others.

All of them are what allow us mobility, therefore, when they begin to deteriorate, movement is reduced and pain is experienced. Their wear prevents them from absorbing the impact when moving. For this reason, it is convenient to strengthen the joints of a dog since it is healthy. This will prevent them from degenerating precipitously and causing discomfort.

Below we are going to know some tips that will help us strengthen the joints. Following them throughout their lives, we will be able to improve the quality of it. As the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure.

Tips for strengthening a dog’s joints

With these simple but effective tips we will be able to strengthen the joints of our dog and improve their overall health. Start putting them into practice now and don’t wait until it’s too late.

Control weight

The main reason why the joints suffer is excess weight. This overload weakens them and increases the pain felt when they wear out. Therefore, to strengthen the joints of a dog, we must control its feeding.

As with humans, the metabolism slows down with age, so as this progresses, we must reduce the caloric intake. If we are used to also giving it our food, we must bear in mind that although it is a whim, it also increases the total calories it ingests.

Improves your diet

Although feed preparations contain all the necessary nutrients, sometimes it is convenient to take supplements that help us strengthen the joints. Especially when it comes to dogs of advanced age or susceptible to suffer this type of pathologies.

L-carnitine and omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids are very important for strengthening joints from within. Protein-rich foods, such as meat or fish, help nourish the collagen found inside them.

As far as oils are concerned, coconut, flaxseed or Krill are very good for strengthening joints. Check with your veterinarian or at your pet store if you have questions about which foods to choose.

Exercise frequently

The fact that dogs are domesticated and accustomed to living in houses, does not mean that they can have a sedentary life like many people. Animals need to walk several times a day and perform activities such as running and playing. Not only will they feel happy, but it will also help strengthen the joints.

If we keep our dog in shape from a young age, his muscles will be stronger and will be able to better support the joints. When your age is older, your activity level will be milder, but you will also enjoy running. Remember that strengthening the joints will save us many future problems.

With these simple tips we can make an important difference in the health of an animal. Strengthening our dog’s joints is practically an obligation as owners. In addition, the hours of play will improve the bond between the two.

06/09/2018/0 Comments/by Ortopedia canina

How to detect osteoarthritis in dogs

Animal welfare, Pathologies

Animals function similarly to people. They suffer from diseases like us, their joints degenerate over the years and their mobility is reduced while experiencing pain. Today we are going to know how to detect osteoarthritis in dogs.

What is osteoarthritis and when it appears

A joint is the union that exists between the bones and that allows us to move the way we do. The ends of those are covered by a protective cartilage, responsible for giving softness to the movements and protecting from impacts.

When this cartilage begins to lose or weaken in its structure, we say that osteoarthritis appears. This is, therefore, a chronic and degenerative disease that affects the joints, and that in some cases can be congenital. Consequently, pain appears and mobility is progressively lost. These are some keys to detect osteoarthritis in dogs.

As happens to people suffering from this disease, changes in the weather generate discomfort. Thus, cold, humidity or very high temperatures aggravate the symptomatology.

In elderly dogs it is common for it to appear. Unlike in young dogs, the cartilage has lost nutrients and decreases thickness and flexibility. However, trauma or blows to the joints can also favor their appearance. The difference in detecting osteoarthritis will be that in one case it will be general while in the second it will be localized.

How we can detect osteoarthritis in our dog

Whether young or old, we should always pay attention to the mobility of our dog. Any change that is perceived in time will be easier to correct or deal with than another that is allowed to advance. Detecting osteoarthritis from its early stages will help us prolong the mobility of the animal.

Problems with stairs

If your dog has begun to refuse to go up or down stairs, you may have just spotted osteoarthritis. This type of movement involves an impulse or a load of one’s own weight that, in the case of suffering from weakness in the joints, can be an important effort.

Slouching

Another way to detect osteoarthritis is by slouching. The reduction in movements makes it expensive to stretch completely. In this way, the limbs or spine may begin to curve excessively.

Lack of energy

If it is time for the walk or you propose to your dog to play and no longer responds with the illusion of before, you have before you another symptom to detect osteoarthritis. You will most likely have a hard time getting up or making sudden movements.

Lameness

Intermittent lameness also helps us detect osteoarthritis. A limp that comes and goes may be due to a joint that begins to lose strength. If you also complain when we touch it or prevent us from doing so, you are likely to feel pain.

If you think you have been able to detect osteoarthritis in your dog, go to your veterinarian as soon as possible for a radiological study. Although it is a degenerative disease, there are many treatments to prolong its mobility.

03/08/2018/0 Comments/by Ortopedia canina

Tag Archive for: joint problems